Concerts rock the Fair with country, R&B and more

Country, rap, R&B, alt-rock — you’ll find it all at the Washington State Fair. A longer run for the fair means more concerts, and this year brings some big names to the Puyallup event. Here are some of the highlights.

Sunday: Country superstar Tim McGraw

McGraw, Billboard’s most-played country musician since 1992, has sold more than 40 million records worldwide, with 36 No. 1 singles. Winner of multiple Grammys, Academy of Country Music and American Music awards and more, he has also acted in “Friday Night Lights” and Disney’s “Tomorrowland.” Tickets: $85-$350.

Sept. 15: Alt-rock band X Ambassadors and pop singer Rachel Platten

Hailing from Ithaca, New York, X Ambassadors grew up in school together and released their debut full-length album, “VHS, “ in 2015. Since then, the band has seen success with hit songs such as “Unconsolable” and “Jungle,” while opening for Imagine Dragons and Jimmy Eat World.

Boston native Rachel Platten hit platinum with her single “Fight Song” in 2015, with “Stand By You” and “Better Place” following. Recent accolades include a Daytime Emmy for her performance of “Fight Song” on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and a “Best Lyrics” award from iHeartRadio music awards. She recently signed with Columbia Records. Tickets: $40-$60

Sept. 16: R&B singer Charlie Wilson

A nine-time Grammy nominee, Wilson, 61, released his sixth solo album in January, including the hit single “Goodnight Kisses, “ and continues to tour extensively, performing about 50 concerts and festivals a year.

Co-founder of ’80s funk trio the Gap Band, the Oklahoma native has received Grammy nominations for rap and R&B. He is in remission for prostate cancer and has been an active spokesman for awareness about the disease.

Appearing with Wilson at the fair will be R&B singer Joe. Tickets: $45-$65.

Sept. 17: Country superstar Alan Jackson

Having just celebrated his 25th anniversary as a singer-songwriter, Jackson continues to draw fans and sell out concerts with songs such as “Drive,” “Chattahoochee” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” The Georgia native has sold 60 million albums worldwide, including his recently-released chart-topper “Angels and Alcohol,” and ranks in the 10 best-selling male vocalists of all time with more than 150 music industry awards. Tickets: $50-$85.

Sept. 18: Fiestas Patrias with Voz de Mando, Proyecto X and Mariachi Divas

Latin Grammy-nominated Voz de Mando is based in Los Angeles, and since 2010 have had hit singles, such as “Comandos del M.P. (500 Balazos), “ which reached the top 10 of Billboard’s Regional Mexican Songs chart. The band includes brothers Jorge Gaxiola (accordion, vocals) and Miguel Gaxiola (bajosexto, vocals), plus Domingo Bolaños (tuba) and Carlos Sígala (drums).

Proyecto X has been based in Salinas, California, since 2012, and is known for songs “Ignore,” “Mi Angelita mi Diablita, “ and “The Beast.” Members include Carlos Zamora (bajo sexton and first voice), Eduardo Batres (tuba), Eliodoro “Lolo” Vallecillo (accordion and vocals), Fabian Rodriguez (second voice and animation), Johnny Espino (battery) and Raul Avalos (representative).

The Mariachi Divas is an all-female mariachi band based in Los Angeles, founded in 1999 by Cindy Shea. In 2009, they were the first all-female mariachi band to win a Grammy, and have since been nominated five times, winning twice. Disneyland’s official mariachi band, they have collaborated with artists Joan Sebastian, Jenni Rivera, Marco Antonia Solis, Pablo Montero, Graciela Beltran, Paulina Rubio and Mariachi Vargas, with numerous TV appearances. Tickets: Advance $20 adults; $10 ages 12 and younger; day of show $30/$15.

Sept. 19: Country singer Chris Young with Cassadee Pope

Young, with five albums under his belt, including 11 gold/platinum certifications, is a Tennessee-born singer who has performed in Australia and Japan and on “Good Morning America.”

His seven No. 1 singles include “Gettin’ You Home” and “Voices,” winner of the American Country Awards’ Single of the Year. His latest album, “I’m Comin’ Over,” was released in 2015.

Pope, the winner of season three of NBC’s “The Voice” in 2012, has sold more than 1 million downloads of her platinum debut single “Wasting All These Tears.” The Florida singer has been selected for CMT’s Next Women of Country award and the 2014 Breakthrough Video of the Year, and was nominated for female vocalist of the year at the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards. Tickets: $40-$60.

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 1:29 AM with the headline "Concerts rock the Fair with country, R&B and more."